Gandantegchenling Monastery Tours

Founded in 1727, this classic Tibetan Buddhist monastery has been under protection of the Mongolian government since 1994. Some 150 monks call this place of worship, devotion and study home. And while many similar monasteries across the country were either in ruins or destroyed during communist rule, Gandantegchenling Monastery was somehow spared, making it a place of hope for locals who worship.

Travelers who venture to this vast religious complex will find a massive statue made of copper statue known as Avalokiteśvara that towers all the way to the ceiling in one of the ground’s most-popular structures. A series of colorful prayer wheels and a room for study and worship are among the monastery’s other buildings, but it’s a wooden pillar from the original temple structure that ranks tops among tourists. For locals, the single remaining pillar is a sign of strength, hope, luck and endurance, which makes it a destination Mongolians still to venture to.

Visitors can explore the monastery on their own or hire a guide to help explain more about the Buddhist culture and traditions. It’s possible to wander the grounds alone, or do so as part of a day tour of the city.

Practical Info

The monastery is a good place to spend a couple of hours during a day in Ulaanbaatar, and those in the know say arriving before 9am ensures the opportunity to see and hear monks praying during the early morning.

Enjoy a full day of exploring Ulaanbaatar with a professional guide. Learn about the history of Mongolia as you visit the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, Chinggis Khaan Monument, and other important sites. Enjoy lunch and free time to shop, then take in a folklore performance to wind down the day. This is a great tour for visitors looking to get an overview of Mongolia's capital city. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

With just one day to explore Ulaanbaatar, this private tour ensures you maximize your time and take in all the highlights. Visit sights including Gandan Buddhist Monastery, the Museum of Mongolian National History, and Sukhbaatar square; pose for photos by the famous ULAANBAATAR letters; and admire the views from Zaisan Memorial Hill. Your private tour can be customized, so you can shop for souvenirs or spend more time at the sights that interest you most.

Immerse in Mongolia’s ancient Buddhist culture without grappling with Ulaanbaatar’s patchy public transport on this small-group tour. Learn about the nation’s complex regal and religious history from your guide as you tour the Gandantegchenling Monastery, the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum of Mongolia, the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, and the Dashchoilin Monastery. Perfect for lovers of history.

See Ulaanbaatar’s signature sights in just half a day on this guided door-to-door tour for maximum five people. Cover ground you couldn’t hope to cover by bus as you visit Gandantegchenling Monastery, the Ger District, the Zaisan Memorial, Naran Tuul Market, the Bogd Khan Winter Palace Museum, Bogd Khan Uul National Park, the Natural History Museum, the Choijin Lama Temple Museum, plus shops and a local market. Tour includes lunch.

See the highlights of Ulaanbaatar on this full-day city tour with a private guide. Visit Sükhbaatar Square (previously known as Chinggis Square), Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, Zaisan Memorial, Buddha Park, and Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan. You’ll also enjoy a traditional Mongolian lunch along the way.

Enjoy the sort of local access and intimate insights that you only get on a private tour as you explore Ulaanbaatar’s Ger District—and so much more besides. Starting from your hotel, visit Gandantegchenling Monastery, then meet and mingle with Ger District residents as you tour their home. Your day also includes lunch and stops at Ulaanbaatar’s signature sights, among them the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum of Mongolia.

Experience Ulaanbaatar like a local as you follow your expert English-speaking local guide through the city streets. Enjoy the comfort of your own private vehicle as you make your way to iconic attractions, VIP clubs and more. Customize this tour to meet your needs and interests and feel what it's like to be a citizen in the largest city in the least-densely populated country on earth.

See more of Mongolia in less of the time on this full-board guided 7-night tour that opens up the nation’s plains and steppe. Explore Ulaanbaatar, the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Hustai National Park, Kharkhorin, Ogii Lake, and Elsen Tasarkhai; ride horses and camels, stay with local nomads, visit monasteries, and enjoy a boat cruise. Tour includes door-to-door round-trip private transfers.